The Thinker: A CMA Blog

Senufo: Art and Identity in West Africa is now open at the Cleveland Museum of Art. We caught up with the museum's Curator of African Art, Constantine Petridis, for a closer look at the art of African art.

A selection of drawings, photographs, and Post-Minimalist art make up the latest lot of acquisitions by the Cleveland Museum of Art this year. New works accessioned into the museum's collection include An Album Folio from the Collection of Padre Sebastiano Resta, one of the most important collectors of old master drawings in his day; The Agony in the Garden, a pen and ink and wash drawing by the late 16th century Florentine artist Santi di Tito; an enigmatic portrait by the innovative British photographer Julia Margaret Cameron of her favorite niece, Julia Jackson, dated 1867; The Thinkers, by Brazilian artist Vik Muniz; and Pure Cadmium Red, Medium, a work by Dale Henry. These additions to the Cleveland Museum of Art's collection will enhance its already world-renowned reputation for its quality and breadth.

Today marks National Beer Day in the United States, a celebration of the prohibition-ending Cullen-Harrison Act, signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on March 22, 1933. That law went into effect 16 days later on April 7, making alcohol legal to purchase again in the United States for the first time in more than 12 years. In the spirit of "spirits," here is are six beer vessels from the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art!

Vincent van Gogh, one of the most well-known artists in the world, was born on this day in 1853. Easily described as a tortured genius, Van Gogh was consumed with an undefined illness and possessed an unparalleled talent. Despite - or because of - his complex existence, Van Gogh produced masterpieces that, more than a century later, still evoke a breathtaking wonder. As a tribute to Van Gogh and the beauty he gave us, we’re asking readers to submit a birthday wish via the comments below, on Facebook, through a RT on Twitter, or via Instagram comment. To be automatically entered to win a Van Gogh inspired gift from the Museum Store, tag a friend in your birthday wish!

Since Monday, the Cleveland Museum of Art has been celebrating #MuseumWeek on Twitter with more than 2,000 other arts and culture institutions around the world. Last year, the CMA was one of the first American museums to participate in #MuseumWeek, and we're excited to be part of the global discussion online again! In the spirit of today's theme, "favorites," we share with you 10 favorite objects from 10 staff members here at the museum. Hear their stories in the video clips, and share your favorite works of art from the museum's collection with us on Twitter: Tag @ClevelandArt and #favMW, or leave a comment on the blog!